April 19, 2007

Countdown

City at night

Her brothers have been talking about it for weeks. And finally it's getting close.

In two weeks, my Wonderful Smart Beautiful Daughter will pack up her clothes and books, take one last walk around her neighborhood in European City With the Bridge That Used to Fall Down, and say goodbye to the flat where she and her friends have lived all semester. She'll take one last walk along the river at night, looking out at the lights of the Government Buildings That Look Pretty at Night. She'll have one last drink at the pub, make one last run to the little grocery store to buy digestive biscuits, and take the long escalator at the Tube station one last time.

And then she's coming home to us.

15 comments:

DrOtter said...

Oh my that is a beautiful photo! I loved walking there at night when I lived near that city with red buses and people with funny accents. Just a nice walk, grab a hot chocolate and croissant at Waterloo station then get the last train home. Happy memories. I hope your daughter has many such happy memories from her time there!

Jessica said...

I'm jealous of her stint in London but glad she is coming home safely to her family...

elswhere said...

Wow! This semester has gone by really quickly.

Probably not for you, though.

Anonymous said...

It seems like it was just last week where you posted the photo of her leaving though it probably seems much longer to you. The photo looks magical.

Busymomma66 said...

It probably felt like it was a blink of an eye, and that it took forever to get here. What great memories, and was wonderful that you got to go visit her when she was over there.

listie said...

You all must be so excited. Hasn't this semester just flown by?

Anonymous said...

enjoy your family reunion!
When I came home after a year of studying abroad, the flight was announced to be late, so my dad just wanted to finish this and that... alas, it was on time, my luggage came out first, and I stood at the airport, confused and worried and left alone for what felt like very long. So do her (and yourself!) the favor and get there early :)

Liz Miller said...

Yippee!

Mona Buonanotte said...

So soon? Wow, time flies.

There's nothing quite like the smell of a Tube station. Or Hyde Park on a Sunday morning in the rain.

zombieswan said...

Very cool! I wish I could go back to London soon! Maybe it's possible, but not probable. We spent three weeks there in 2002, and yes, just thinking about the smell of a Tube station. :) And the funny "Falstaffs" who were our captains/pilots for a river crossing on this walking tour... and the Pub we drank Cider at. Sigh. I loved it, and realized that in spite of having grown up in mostly small towns, I could be a really BIG CITY girl. It was nifty.

How cool that your daughter got to stay there. I know it will impact her in so many ways.

Unknown said...

I can't wait either and I don't even know her or you! You have created a vision of your daughter that lifts off the screen.

Gorgeous photo, btw! The lights on the water, the lights, period.

Anonymous said...

Mmm... digestives... I think I know what *my* dessert will be tonight!

I'm glad you guys are getting excited about Daughter coming home, and excited that she's had such a good trip!

Kyla said...

How very, very exciting!

Anonymous said...

That walk along the south bank at night is still one of my favourites. And across Waterloo Bridge first thing in the morning. Bet she won't miss the Northern Line, though :)

Andromeda Jazmon said...

Mother's Day. My Buster comes home for the summer. Not much longer, right?

So wonderful that your daughter had her semester adventure and now so wonderful she is coming home!